Overcoming Indifference: Embracing Awe and Repentance

Indifference to God’s word is a subtle but dangerous posture that can take many forms in our lives. Sometimes, we respond to God’s voice with holy fear and obedience, like Jeremiah and Baruch, or those who urged the king not to burn the scroll. But more often, we find ourselves slipping into indifference—hardness of heart, apathy, or simply not caring. This indifference is not just a passive state; it is a deeply hostile response to God, as seen in the lives of King Jehoiakim, Pharaoh, and even in our own neighborhoods and churches. Whether it’s ignoring the plight of our neighbors, dismissing God’s conviction, or procrastinating on what we know we should do, indifference is a spiritual disease that numbs us to God’s presence and purpose.

Indifference can look like outright refusal, as with the rich young ruler who walked away from Jesus, or like procrastination, as with Felix in Acts 24, who delayed responding to the gospel. Sometimes, it’s simply a lack of urgency or seriousness about what God is saying. The root of this indifference is a loss of the awe of God—a loss of holy fear that makes us more concerned about living without Him than about anything else. When we become self-reliant, like the church in Laodicea, we forfeit the sovereign control of God in our lives and settle for a lukewarm faith.

The way out of indifference is not just to confess our lack of zeal, but to repent—to take concrete steps of obedience. Repentance is more than admitting we’ve fallen short; it’s about asking God what He’s saying to us, identifying where we’ve missed His standard, seeking forgiveness, and then walking in new obedience. This process brings freedom, healing, and restoration, whether in our personal lives, our marriages, or our communities. When we confess and repent, we invite God’s cleansing and rediscover the awe and intimacy we were made for. The invitation is to quit indifference, confess where we’ve grown cold, and step into the freedom and joy that comes from a heart fully alive to God.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Indifference to God’s Word Is Spiritually Dangerous Indifference is not a neutral stance; it is a deeply hostile response to God’s voice. Whether it manifests as apathy, hardness of heart, or simply not caring, indifference distances us from God and dulls our spiritual senses. Recognizing and naming this posture is the first step toward spiritual renewal. [05:18]
• 2. Indifference Takes Many Forms—Refusal, Procrastination, and Self-Reliance We often think of indifference as passivity, but it can also look like outright refusal to obey, as with the rich young ruler, or procrastination, as with Felix. Sometimes, it’s masked by self-reliance, where we believe we can manage life without God. Each form is a barrier to intimacy with God and requires honest self-examination. [14:11]
• 3. The Root of Indifference Is Losing the Awe of God At the heart of indifference is a loss of holy fear—a sense of awe and reverence for God. When we lose this awe, we become self-sufficient and spiritually lukewarm, like the church in Laodicea. The fear of the Lord is not about being afraid of God, but about being terrified of living apart from Him. [17:53]
• 4. Repentance Is the Pathway Out of Indifference Confession alone is not enough; true repentance involves asking God what He’s saying, identifying where we’ve fallen short, seeking forgiveness, and then taking concrete steps of obedience. This process restores our awe of God and brings freedom from the things that keep us stuck. Repentance is the practical outworking of renewed reverence. [21:39]
• 5. Vulnerability and Accountability Lead to Lasting Change Healing and transformation often require us to confess our struggles not just to God, but to trusted friends and family. By bringing our weaknesses into the light and inviting others into our journey, we create space for real growth and freedom. This kind of vulnerability breaks the power of hidden sin and fosters a culture of grace and restoration.
  
  ** [27:36]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [04:02] - Holy Fear vs. Indifference
• [04:43] - The Danger of Apathy
• [06:21] - Indifference in Our Community
• [09:32] - Responding to Brokenness
• [10:26] - Addiction and Indifference
• [11:34] - Refusal and Procrastination
• [12:21] - Transformation in Real Lives
• [14:11] - Procrastination as Indifference
• [16:51] - The Source of Indifference
• [17:53] - Losing the Awe of God
• [19:39] - Self-Reliance and Lukewarm Faith
• [21:17] - The Call to Repentance
• [23:54] - Steps Toward Repentance
• [27:36] - Vulnerability and Lasting Change
• [29:52] - Freedom and Restoration
• [31:54] - Invitation to Confession and Freedom

Bible Reading

Jeremiah 36:20-26 (ESV) — > So they went into the court to the king, having put the scroll in the chamber of Elishama the secretary, and they reported all the words to the king. Then the king sent Jehudi to get the scroll, and he took it from the chamber of Elishama the secretary. And Jehudi read it to the king and all the officials who stood beside the king. It was the ninth month, and the king was sitting in the winter house, and there was a fire burning in the fire pot before him. As Jehudi read three or four columns, the king would cut them off with a knife and throw them into the fire in the fire pot, until the entire scroll was consumed in the fire that was in the fire pot. Yet neither the king nor any of his servants who heard all these words was afraid, nor did they tear their garments. Even when Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah urged the king not to burn the scroll, he would not listen to them.

2. Revelation 3:14-22 (ESV)
> “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

3. 1 John 1:9 (ESV)
> If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Observation Questions

1. In Jeremiah 36, how did King Jehoiakim respond to the reading of God’s word, and how did his officials react differently?
2. According to Revelation 3, what does Jesus say about the church in Laodicea’s spiritual condition, and what does he urge them to do?
3. In the sermon, what are some specific examples given of indifference to God’s word in everyday life or in the community?
4. What does 1 John 1:9 promise to those who confess their sins?

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think King Jehoiakim chose to burn the scroll instead of listening to God’s word? What does this reveal about his heart?
2. The sermon mentions that indifference can look like outright refusal, procrastination, or self-reliance. Why are these responses spiritually dangerous?
3. According to the sermon, what is the root cause of indifference toward God, and how does losing the “awe of God” affect a person’s faith?
4. What is the difference between confession and repentance, and why is repentance necessary for spiritual renewal?

Application Questions

1. The sermon describes indifference as a “spiritual disease” that can numb us to God’s presence. Is there an area in your life where you have become numb or apathetic to God’s voice? What might be causing that?
2. Indifference can show up as procrastination, like Felix in Acts 24. Is there something you know God is asking you to do, but you keep putting it off? What is holding you back from responding?
3. The root of indifference is losing the awe of God. What are some practical ways you can rekindle a sense of awe and holy fear in your relationship with God this week?
4. The sermon says that confession alone is not enough; we must also repent and take concrete steps of obedience. What is one specific step you can take this week to move from confession to repentance in an area where you’ve grown cold?
5. Vulnerability and accountability are described as keys to lasting change. Who is someone you trust that you could invite into your journey of overcoming indifference? How could you share honestly with them this week?
6. The story about the marriage “five things we suck at” list shows the power of naming and working on weaknesses together. Is there a weakness or struggle you need to name and bring into the light, either with God or with others?
7. The invitation at the end of the sermon is to “quit indifference, confess where we’ve grown cold, and step into freedom.” What would it look like for you to accept that invitation this week? What is one thing you will do differently?